Fish sticks, also known as fish fingers, are a fantastic option if you are making a quick and easy meal. These fish sticks are super simple to cook and are bound to be a hit, especially with kids.
As a result, they are a great food for dinner on evenings when you simply can’t be bothered. Yet, fish sticks can seem quite boring.
The good news is that it’s super straightforward to make these fish sticks a little more interesting. The best way of doing this is by pairing your fish sticks with some delicious side dishes.
To help enhance your meal, here are 15 fabulous side dishes for fish sticks!
1. Sweet Potato Fries
Up first, sweet potato fries are an amazing alternative to standard fries. They have a shaper taste that makes them a more exciting addition to your main meal. As you can imagine, they have a sweeter taste than white potatoes.
Plus, they complement a range of foods, including fish sticks. Sweet potatoes are also quite a nutritious ingredient.
If you want to make perfect sweet potato fries, we thoroughly recommend using this recipe. They have the ideal texture, being crispy and crunchy on the outside while soft on the inside.
The edges are a little caramelized, which results in an enjoyable eating experience.
2. Caesar Salad
Serving your fish sticks with Caesar salad may sound a little boring. But the truth is that caesar salad is a nutritious and enjoyable accompaniment to a range of different dishes. This includes fish sticks.
Not to mention, Caesar salad is lighter than many of the other side dishes on this list. Therefore, it’s an outstanding option if you crave something light and healthy.
This is perhaps our favorite Caesar salad recipe. We particularly love the diverse textures in this side dish. The crispy croutons contrast nicely with the crunchy lettuce. Plus, the addition of parmesan gives this dish a cheesy taste.
3. Roasted Vegetables
Roasting is perhaps the best method of cooking vegetables. This is because it brings out their delicious flavors and offers an enjoyable texture. Roasted vegetables are also a great way to increase the nutritional value of this meal.
Another reason to love this recipe is that it’s made with a range of different vegetables. This not only provides a range of different flavors, but the recipe allows you to use whatever vegetables you want.
Consequently, it’s an easy recipe to customize.
4. Tartar Sauce
Fish is regularly served with fish. There’s just something about this tangy sauce that works so well with fish. We particularly love serving fish sticks with this side dish, as they are perfect for dipping into the tartar sauce.
It’s also a great way of adding some moisture to this meal, which can often be quite dry. Another benefit of this side dish is that it only takes 5 minutes to make. Like fish sticks, it’s super simple!
Plus, it has a fresh and pungent taste thanks to the addition of shallots, dill pickles, and capers. Oh! I almost forgot! You can serve it as a fish cake side dish as well!
5. Potato Wedges
Potato wedges are just like fries but a little healthier. They are an incredible choice if you want something substantial and filling. The salty taste of these wedges works wonderfully with fish sticks.
We especially love dipping them in sauces, such as tomato ketchup.
To achieve crispy potato wedges, this amazing recipe will guide you through the process. The recipe is easy to make, so even inexperienced cooks should be able to follow the instructions.
Thanks to the ingenious addition of onion and garlic powder, these phenomenal potato wedges are even more flavorsome than the average recipe. They are a superb substitute if you have been craving fries.
6. Coleslaw
Coleslaw is like salad, but creamier and much more indulgent. It works amazingly well with fish sticks, partially because the soft and creamy texture contrasts pleasantly with the crispy fish sticks.
If you’re searching for a coleslaw recipe that’s ready in just 10 minutes, we’ve found the perfect candidate. This homemade coleslaw is much nicer than the average store-bought variety.
If you want to save yourself time, you can even make it the night ahead.
This coleslaw is made with incredible ingredients. The addition of sour cream adds to the creaminess of the coleslaw whilst also providing a subtle sour taste. Meanwhile, the use of mustard powder provides a hint of earthiness.
7. Pilau Rice
If you crave a light addition to your fish sticks, rice is a good option. It’s a little more filling than salad or vegetables but doesn’t feel as heavy as many potato-based side dishes.
We particularly like making pilau rice, as it has a sharper taste than many other rice dishes.
The above pilau rice recipe makes a delicious side dish that’s overflowing with fantastic flavors. It’s so much tastier than store-bought rice.
It’s been heavily seasoned with turmeric and cinnamon, which infuses the rice with a sharp earthy taste.
8. Baked Beans
Sometimes, you need comfort food. Baked beans and fish sticks combine to make an unmatched comfort meal. This meal is sure to go down well with kids. Not to mention, the juiciness of the beans adds moisture to the fish sticks.
Of course, you can always use a store-bought can of baked beans. But let’s face it, homemade baked beans are clearly superior. Though they can take a little more time and effort to make, it’s worth it if you crave a scrumptious side dish.
The idea of adding paprika to these baked beans is ingenious. We also love the addition of garlic and onion, as they enhance the flavor of the tomato sauce.
9. Mac And Cheese
Mac and cheese is a starchy side dish that is sure to fill you up! With just a thin coating of breadcrumbs, it’s a good idea to serve a substantial dish with your fish sticks. As a consequence, mac and cheese is an ideal side dish.
This mac and cheese recipe is cheesy and creamy. This is due to the use of two different types of cheese, namely cheddar and mozzarella. So if you are a cheese lover, you will find this side dish divine. It also has quite a rich taste.
In addition, we love that the crispy breadcrumb topping contrasts beautifully with the soft and creamy pasta.
10. Greek Salad
Another type of salad that is a good match with fish sticks is Greek salad. If you want to make an authentic Greek salad, the above recipe will help you to reach this goal.
It’s filled with fantastic vegetables, such as cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. This has been coated in a refreshing red wine vinegar dressing. The salad even contains feta cheese, which gives the dish a creamy texture.
Overall, if you are looking for a healthy side dish but are bored of boring old salads, this Greek salad is a great way of enhancing your mealtimes.
11. Vegetable Skewers
Alongside roasting, grilling is one of the best methods of cooking vegetables. This is because it’s just so much more exciting than simply boiling them.
If you like the taste of grilled vegetables, you’re bound to appreciate these delectable vegetable skewers.
These vegetable skewers are quite versatile, matching an array of dishes. Despite this, this recipe can be finished in just 30 minutes. Therefore, they pair nicely with other quick and easy foods, such as fish sticks.
We also love that this recipe comes with a list of different herbs and spices that complement the taste of vegetable skewers. This includes tarragon, basil, and cumin.
Plus, you can experiment with different vegetables to find the ones that work best.
12. Mushroom Risotto
Mushroom risotto sounds like an incredibly decadent gourmet side dish. But in reality, this creamy side dish is quite simple. It has a rich taste that pairs nicely with fish, including fish sticks.
This mushroom risotto has a strong mushroom flavor. So if you love this vegetable, you’re going to adore this magnificent recipe. This mushroom taste is boosted by parsley and garlic, which results in a tangy taste.
This recipe has a slightly cheesy taste thanks to the inclusion of parmesan. This cheese works beautifully with the mushroom flavors.
Plus, the use of white wine provides a slightly boozy taste that increases the luxurious vibe of this side dish.
13. Sauteed Cauliflower
Cauliflower may not seem like an exciting side dish, but sauteeing this vegetable certainly makes it more interesting. It provides cauliflower with even more flavor.
This vegetable is also a good source of fiber and choline, making it a healthy option. This sensational sauteed cauliflower takes just 20 minutes, so you won’t have to cook for a long time.
Moreover, it’s got a mild flavor that works with lots of different dishes, such as fish sticks. This taste is emphasized by the addition of thyme, kosher salt, garlic, and black pepper.
14. Roasted Zucchini
Zucchinis have a unique flavor that allows them to work effectively as side dishes. We especially appreciate these roasted zucchini. They are filled with flavors and will be ready in just 15 minutes.
Covered in parmesan cheese, these zucchini are also ideal for cheese enthusiasts.
15. Mashed Potatoes
Finally, another way of serving potatoes with your fish sticks is to make mashed potatoes. Mashed potato is a creamy and filling side dish that contrasts nicely with the firmer texture of the fish sticks.
One of the numerous reasons why we adore this recipe is that it’s vegan, meaning that it’s suitable for a wide range of people. Despite this, the recipe is creamy and buttery.
The addition of chives and garlic boosts the savory flavors of this 5-ingredient recipe.
Just bear in mind that mashed potato tends to work best when served with a sauce. We recommend using garlic and herb butter, as gravy doesn’t complement fish sticks!
Final Thoughts
The next time you have fish sticks, why not serve them with one of these irresistible side dishes? There are loads of outstanding options to choose from.
So whether you want something light or you prefer a more substantial side dish, there’s something for everyone!
Frequently Asked Questions
Fish is often considered a healthy food because it’s a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Yet, fish sticks aren’t quite as healthy. This is because they tend to be high in sodium.
The good news is that fish sticks can still be eaten as part of a healthy diet. This is because they contain decent amounts of protein. So as long as they are not cooked in fatty oils, fish sticks can be relatively healthy.
For adults, it’s recommended that you have between 3 and 5 sticks, as this will be sufficient to constitute a portion. Kids should have between 1 and 3 fish sticks depending on their age and appetite.
Yes! Even though these foods are processed, they contain real fish. Whitefish is commonly used to make these savory sticks. Cod and haddock are two of the most common types of whitefish that are featured in fish sticks.
Cooking is great for your mental, physical, and emotional health. What’s the worst that could happen? Find a recipe that you like the sound of and cook it along with me. You might even unlock a new passion!
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